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Are you a “List Maker”? Whenever you have a series of tasks that you need to accomplish, do you break them down into logical lists that you can check off one by one? Have you ever made a list of all your lists just to keep them all organized?

If you have answered yes to any of the above questions and you happen to have a BlackBerry that you never leave home without, then this latest Geek Review will be right up you alley.

Put the pencil down and join me for a few minutes as I dig into the HanDBase application released by DDH Software

Installation

Download the HanDBase setup file to your desktop and then double click to begin the installation process. You will be prompted to accept the License Agreement before you proceed. Select the location on your PC you would like to store the HanDBase program and follow all of the installation wizards instructions.

Upon installation you will be presented with a product registration screen where you must enter a valid license key before proceeding. Once the license key has been entered, you will see some options for various plugins that you are able to install to the HanDBase Desktop. I opted to install everything available to me.

Getting the HanDBase software onto your BlackBerry

Once you have completed the desktop component installation, you will notice that the BlackBerry Desktop Manager Application Loader automatically launches. Ensure that your BlackBerry is plugged in via USB and click the next button. Follow all of the instructions provided and you will now have the HanDBase software loaded on your BlackBerry handheld.

Setting up your HanDBase

The first step to setting up your HanDBAse on your BlackBerry is to assign a user profile to your handheld. To do this, you must click the button labeled “Setup New BlackBerry User”. Give your BlackBerry a name and then click “next”. In order to proceed you will need to ensure that the BlackBerry Desktop Manager is open and connected to your BlackBerry.

Configuring your HanDBase Desktop Component

Double clicking the desktop shortcut to HanDBase will initialize the application and you will be prompted to create a new database. Name your new database and select a category to associate it with.

NOTE: The default category is “Unfiled”, if you would like to have your database categorized as anything other than this you will have to edit the categories and create your desired label.

The next step is to populate the fields of this database. You can set a fields properties to any of 18 types of entry. Some of these include: Text, Integer, Pop-Up, check box, etc.

Once you have populated the fields of your new database, a pop up will appear which has all of the controls for your data. The controls are as follows:

• General: Use this button for changing database names, backup and category settings.
• Fields: Use this option to modify your database fields and to choose the quick search field.
• Forms: This option allows you to edit and create custom forms.
• StartUp: Use this to setup the startup mode for your databse.
• Views: Set up your filter, sort and field settings so you can view your database how you want to.
• Alarms: Set up and manage database alarms.
• Author: View and edit author information and any comments related to your database.
• Security: Set up password protection, encryption and permissions for your database.

Creating a New Database

To create a new database, look for the blank piece of paper icon in the upper left corner of the HanDBase desktop component. Click this icon and follow the on screen instructions for naming etc.

Once you have established a new database, it is now time to start populating it. To do this, you must select a field (1 to 100) and give it a name. In my test database I have set up the fields as: Bills, Expenses and Impulse Buy. These fields will be your cross headings for the database, with individual entries being displayed below them.

In order to add an new entry to one of the sections you have just created, click the “New” icon in the lower left corner of the database window. A pop up will appear that prompts you to make an entry in any of the previously set up categories.

Thats it folks, the database you have just created will be visible on your BlackBerry as soon as you synchronize with your PC.

Synchronizing your databases on your BlackBerry and your desktop

After a few connectivity issues with the HanDbase software and my very independent minded Vista machine, I was able to sync up the Databases that I had created on my desktop with my BlackBerry 8700. Everything was there, exactly as I had entered it. Searching through the created databases was a non complicated process and I was able to easily navigate to all the crucial data I had entered.

My Opinion

In my opinion, the HanDbase software is a must have for anybody who keeps track of large amounts of data and requires access to it while on the move. Additionally, the software is great for casual list makers who just want to leave the notepad behind. Entering new information is easy and synching is a snap (after you set up administrative privaliges in Vista that is).

Despite how easy the entire process is, there are some drawbacks for those looking to use the power of HanDbase along with their BlackBerry. The “BlackBerry edition” of the software is a lot less functional than HanDbase releases for other platforms. One specific limitation that frustrated me to no end was that I was not able to edit my database components while on the go. There is no support for updating, modifying, or deleting information from your database once it has been synced to your BlackBerry. If you need to make any changes then they have to be done through the desktop software.

Overall, I would say that the team at DDH Software has done a great job of porting the HanDbase software to the BlackBerry architecture and I look forward to future releases where the entire feature set (or at least a few of the hobbled features) are made available to the BlackBerry community.

Be sure to check out more detailed information about the HanDbase software in our HanDbase software review.

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